YUMA, Ariz. (Interstat) — The Northwest College Trappers look to build on a decisive win and climb back to .500 when they visit the Arizona Western Matadors in a non-conference men’s junior college basketball matchup Wednesday.

The Trappers (4-4) are coming off an 80-57 home victory over Miles Community College on Saturday, which snapped a two-game skid. Northwest had dropped close contests to Dawson Community College (86-83) and Snow College (79-67) prior to that win.

Arizona Western (7-3), however, presents a stiffer challenge. The Matadors have been strong at home and boast a more consistent record, though they are looking to rebound from a 76-67 loss to Dawson on Monday.

A key matchup will feature two standout forwards. Northwest will rely on Eli Patterson, who is coming off an 11-point, four-rebound performance in 25 minutes against Miles. Over his last five games, Patterson is averaging 7.6 points and 4.0 rebounds.

For the Matadors, Marsai Mason has been a force in the paint. The forward is averaging a double-double over his last four appearances, including a 14-point, 14-rebound effort in the loss to Dawson. He posted a 20-point, 11-rebound game in a win at Trinidad State on Dec. 6.

Northwest’s victory over Miles was a balanced effort, with R’Zha Zha’Quire Whittle adding 11 points and eight rebounds and Trey Rinn scoring 10 points. The Trappers will need similar contributions to counter an Arizona Western squad that has shown high-scoring potential, including a 101-point outing earlier this month.

This game begins a challenging two-day road swing through Arizona for Northwest, which plays at Central Arizona on Thursday. Arizona Western continues a brief homestand, hosting Monroe College on Friday.

Tipoff is set for Wednesday night at Arizona Western College in Yuma.